Deception at Dark Hall (The Briony Martin Mystery Series) (4 page)

“Aren’t you going to answer the boy?” asked Lee, with a hint of aggravation.

Briony shook her head. It was true she’d seen and spoken to the ghost of her father in Maine. But this was different. The dead couldn’t speak through the living. It had to be a hoax.

Beside her, she could sense Daniel’s agitation. “Who is it?” he asked.

Before she could answer, Sharlyn’s hand smacked the wooden table, causing her and the woman next to her to jump. Miss Dark’s peculiar unattached voice thundered out the answer. “Say something, Briony. Don’t be afraid. Tell them I’m your brother Ben.”

CHAPTER THREE

Briony couldn’t breathe. She shoved away from the table and stood on wobbling legs. “Excuse me, but I can’t stay here. I need air.” She turned on her heel and scurried toward the door.

Daniel leaped from his seat and followed her out of the room. When they stepped into the hushed hallway, the stone-faced butler appeared like magic.

“Shall I retrieve your coats?” he asked.

“Yes,” Daniel replied, with a curt nod.

Briony reached for calm by taking several deep breaths. When her quickened pulse slowed to a steadier rate, she touched Daniel’s arm. “I hate for you to leave on my account. I don’t mean to ruin your evening. Go back inside. I can wait downstairs or in the car until the séance is over.”

His gaze was sympathetic, which she was grateful for. “Don’t be silly. I can come to Dark Hall anytime. I’ll be glad to take you home now, if you’d like.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” His words were genuine even if his smile was taut.

“All right then. Perhaps it would be better. I’m suddenly feeling quite tired.”

“Follow me,” the butler said. After showing them into the same elevator and then winding them through the maze of assorted hallways, she and Daniel found themselves on the ground floor in the foyer standing under the glass dome. The butler disappeared and returned with their jackets several moments later. He flipped the locking mechanism on the inside of the massive front door and let them out with the friendliness of a cold fish.

The temperature had dropped. Wishing she was wearing a hat and scarf, Briony wrapped her arms around herself as a frigid wind cut through her. Daniel pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one up. She recalled Paige telling her he didn’t smoke. What else did her best friend not know about her brother-in-law?

 The Coronet appeared from around the corner within moments. The same valet who had driven it away earlier parked it in the circular driveway in front of them and jumped out of the driver’s seat. Daniel flicked the cigarette into the gravel and stubbed it out with the toe of his shoe.

The valet first opened the passenger car door for Briony. Then he jogged around to Daniel’s side and opened that door. “Good night, Mr. Collier,” he said, tipping his cap as Daniel entered the vehicle.

“Good night, Dawson.Thank you.”

Briony saw him stuff a bill into the valet’s hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Collier.”

As Daniel drove through the gate and into the street, she realized he’d left Dark Hall without giving Sharlyn Dark any money. Perhaps she’d send an invoice.

The streets were dark and deserted on the return drive to Paige and Mark’s house. Like a gentleman, Daniel allowed her time to regain her composure. He waited until they were almost to the house before breaking the silence between them. He asked why she’d gotten upset at hearing her brother’s voice. “I thought you went with me tonight hoping to make contact with him.”

She could hardly tell Daniel she’d gone only as a favor to Paige and to try to somehow convince him that Miss Dark may not be what she seemed. But she was tired and confused as to what had occurred. She didn’t want to explain anything right now—not her motive for going to Dark Hall in the first place, nor the unsettling feeling in her stomach that had caused her to flee from that room.

Had her twin really made contact with her through Miss Dark? Briony had no idea. But the truth was that the blind woman spooked her. There was no way she could have known Briony had a brother or that he’d died five years ago. The only possible explanation was that Daniel had called her ahead of time and told her about Ben.

She stared at his profile and wondered what his motive would be in doing such a thing. But more than his possible duplicity, it was that gesture—the tugging of the earlobe—that caused her alarm. “I’d rather not discuss it, if you don’t mind,” she answered, hoping he’d be polite enough to drop the subject. He was.

When they entered through the unlocked back door of the Collier home, Paige met them in the kitchen. She slid a finger to her lips.

“Shhh. Mark and the baby are both asleep already.”

Daniel hung his hat on the peg next to the door. Then he whispered good night to both of them and strode out of the kitchen before Paige could ask him any questions. His room was evidently on the first level. Briony heard his footsteps cross the living room floor and then the click of a closing door.

“Well. What did you discover about Dark Hall and that woman?” Paige asked quietly. Her eyes lit up with curiosity.

Briony sighed. “Dark Hall is a strange place. The good news is that I didn’t see any signs of drug use. The room where the séance was held smelled of patchouli, however. Daniel has probably brought the scent home on his clothes, which is most likely the reason you’ve thought he’s been smoking something illegal. Also, Miss Dark has an assistant by the name of Lee that appears to be a man but is actually a woman. I’m not sure if Daniel knows that or not.”

Paige’s eyes widened. “How odd.”

“And there’s a weird tapestry hanging on the wall where the séance was conducted.” She described it.

“That sounds perverted.” Paige wrinkled her nose. “It could be symbolic of witchcraft, don’t you think?”

“I suppose.”

“Did the woman make poor Daniel think he was speaking to Monica again?”

“No, but she did
conjure
up the relatives of several other people in attendance.” She used air quotes when she said the word conjure. “They all seemed to believe they were really speaking to their loved ones.”

She decided not to mention Sharlyn’s impersonation of Ben. If she accused Daniel of being in cahoots with the medium for some unknown reason, it would only cause Paige more concern. Plus, she was unsure as to whether what she’d experienced tonight was really a gift, as Daniel put it, or something not to be dallied with. Her nerves continued to ripple beneath her skin. Although Miss Dark had tugged her earlobe the same way Ben always did, her voice hadn’t sounded anything like his. A good night’s sleep would most likely help put the evening into perspective.

“Has Daniel ever mentioned that Miss Dark is blind?” she asked.

Paige was shocked. “No. Never. Is she?”

“I think so.”

“You think? You’re not sure?”

Briony remembered the way the beautiful woman had stared into her eyes as if she could see deep into her soul. She answered Paige’s question with a question. “What purpose would she have for faking blindness?”

Paige shrugged. “Sounds like a night you’ll never forget. You must be exhausted. I’m sorry I forced you to go.”

“It’s all right, but I am ready for bed. Getting up early this morning and traveling has caught up with me.”

“Let me show you to your room. Mark moved your luggage upstairs already.”

“That was nice of him.” Briony wrapped her arm around Paige’s waist and they started up the steps side-by-side. When they reached the guest room, Paige whispered, “I nearly forgot.”

She gently shoved Briony into the room and then closed the door behind them. “I don’t want to wake Mark and the baby.” Her face broke into a wide smile. “Your detective phoned here tonight. He’d called your house, and your mother gave him my number. I took a message.” She withdrew a slip of paper from the pocket of her dress and handed it to Briony.

Blood surged through her veins like a speeding train. “John called here?” She could hardly believe it. After three weeks of worrying and wondering if he was sick, dead, or simply not interested anymore, he’d gone to the trouble of tracking her down! That meant the world and more.

Paige had taken the message, so she’d heard his voice and knew what he’d said. She stood before her friend grinning like a satisfied cat that had licked up a full bowl of warm milk.

Briony opened the paper and skimmed the note. “John profusely apologizes for not having phoned before now, but he’s had laryngitis!” She chuckled, and a sense of relief swelled her breast to know he wasn’t hurt and he still cared about her. Her jaw dropped open when she read the next line. “He’s taking time off and is planning a visit!”

“It’s about time,” Paige said. “You’ve been far more patient than I would have been.”

“It’s been the longest three months. He wants me to call him tomorrow to confirm that I still want him to come, and then he’ll make arrangements.” She pressed the paper to her chest and forced a rising squeal back down her throat. Paige wouldn’t be pleased if she woke the baby.

“I take it you still want him to visit.”

“You bet. He’s all I’ve been thinking about since I came home from Maine.”

“I’m happy for you,” Paige said. “I can’t wait for you to speak to him tomorrow.” She hugged Briony. “I’ll let you get to bed now so you can dream about John. Thank you again for going with Daniel tonight. Good night. Hope you sleep well.”

“I have a feeling I won’t sleep at all now.” She smiled. “Good night.” She closed the door and stared at the note in her hand. Picturing John’s rugged face, her body heated like a flame at the remembrance of the kisses they’d shared. Her skin prickled with excitement. He was coming to see her!

~ * ~

The next morning, she woke to rapping on the bedroom door. “Come in.” She rose onto her elbows and rubbed her knuckles over her eyes.

The door opened. Paige’s face was twisted into a frantic mask. “Amanda’s running a high fever and cool rags aren’t helping. Mark’s left for work already. I’m driving her to the pediatrician’s office.”

Briony shot up straighter in the bed. “Oh, my. Shall I go with you?”

“No. I’ve got her bundled up and I’m ready to leave now. But thanks.”

“Is there anything I can do in the meantime?”

“Actually, there is. Mark had planned on taking the day off, but he was called in to work for a mandatory meeting this morning. He and Daniel were scheduled to go pick up chairs from the rental store for the reception after the christening on Sunday. Would you mind going with Daniel to lend a hand?” Her face pinched. “I do hate to ask you. Hauling and lifting chairs isn’t women’s work.”

“Don’t be silly, Paige. When my father left us, Mom and I often found ourselves helping Ben with chores that most people would consider men’s work. I brought casual clothes with me. I’m glad to help.”

Paige blew her a kiss. “You’re a doll. Daniel’s downstairs reading the paper over coffee. I’ve laid out some sweet rolls and fruit on the table. I was planning on fixing you a big breakfast of eggs and bacon and—”

Briony cut her off. “Don’t worry yourself, Paige. I don’t need you to baby me. I rarely eat breakfast anyway. Go on and take care of Amanda. Daniel and I will get the chairs. Is there anything else you need us to do while we’re out?”

“I believe that’s it for today. I’m not thinking clearly right now.”

“I understand.”

“Oh, there is one other thing I meant to tell you last night. Feel free to use the phone to call John whenever you want. It’s located in the hallway next to the coat closet.”

“Thank you. I’ll be sure and pay you for the long distance call before I leave.”

Paige shook her head. “I won’t hear of it.”

Amanda’s soft cry drifted up the stairs. Paige cinched the belt of her wool coat and turned. “I need to go. Thank you!”

Briony called to her back. “You’re welcome. Try not to worry. I’m sure Amanda’s going to be fine.”

Moments later, she heard Daniel assisting Paige out the front door. When the door closed, the house fell into silence. She felt slightly uncomfortable knowing it was only the two of them in the house. But they’d leave soon to go to the rental store, and Paige would probably be home by the time they returned with the chairs.

A peek out the window revealed a sunny morning. After a quick shower, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and changed into cigarette pants and a button-down cardigan. Downstairs, she greeted Daniel, who rose from the chrome kitchen table the moment she entered the room. He looked fresh and dapper in chinos and a pullover sweater.

“I trust you slept well.” He folded the newspaper and refilled his mug with coffee.

“Yes, I did. The bed felt like a cloud. And you?”

He momentarily ignored her question. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

He poured a cup and handed it to her and retook his seat. “Sleep never comes easy to me. I haven’t had one completely restful night in four months.”

“I’m sorry. I hope you don’t mind, but Paige told me about your fiancé, Monica. What a terrible tragedy. I understand she’s the reason you visit Dark Hall.”

A cloud passed across Daniel’s face. “She is.” His poignant eyes probed her. “You probably think I’m ridiculous for participating in séances.”

“No, I don’t.” She sipped the coffee and plucked a sweet roll from the platter on the table. “I apologize for making you leave last night before Miss Dark was able to…”

“To summon Monica?” he finished. “It’s all right. She’s coming forth less and less. Sharlyn has told me spirits stop making their presence known when they feel they’ve accomplished what they set out to do.”

Briony bit into the sweet roll. “Tell me what you mean.”

“The last time Monica spoke through Sharlyn, she said she didn’t want me to live my life alone. She asked me to remember her fondly, and she made me promise to move on and find someone new to love. That night, I had a feeling it was the final time we’d communicate, and it seems to have been. I’ve made peace with her passing and vowed to do as she requests. In fact, I believe I’m finally ready to start a new relationship.” A shy smile parted his lips.